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worst_part_is's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
happylilkt's review against another edition
5.0
This short story blew my mind. I grew up reading and loving White Fang. Very much enjoyed Call of the Wild, too, but my recent foray into London's short stories has been shocking—this stuff is intense!
My first short story was "In a Far Country," and it was raw, gruesome, and unforgiving. I would say that describes "To Build a Fire," too.
The setting, pacing, characterization of the dog and the wilderness: all of it is masterful. I can't imagine what it must have been like to read this when it was first published and to imagine the Yukon before TV, Planet Earth and YouTube could show you.
My first short story was "In a Far Country," and it was raw, gruesome, and unforgiving. I would say that describes "To Build a Fire," too.
The setting, pacing, characterization of the dog and the wilderness: all of it is masterful. I can't imagine what it must have been like to read this when it was first published and to imagine the Yukon before TV, Planet Earth and YouTube could show you.
sputerman's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lilyjalberti's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
guilherme_bicalho's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
hanzy's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty interesting and a highly descriptive read. I can still feel the chills down my back, traversing through the Alaskan wilderness.
rochiroro's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
tumormozgowicz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lonelyasfranz's review against another edition
4.0
A masterfully-written, engaging story with a significant theme and startling message. I would absolutely recommend this. Very much reminiscent of Hemingway. I must read more Jack London.
ellies_92's review against another edition
3.0
A short story that stands the test of time. I read it in 2023 and it’s still relatable today.
As many others here, I didn’t like the main character for 2 main reasons:
1- The way he treats his dog (I mean he even tries to kill him instead of sending him out for help)
2- He thinks he knows better, he even laughs at the old man who told him not to go by himself at such temperatures.
But what I liked about this story was:
1- length: Perfect! Not boring, although the end was quite predictable
2- that the dog survives and his instincts puts him on the right track (while he was dying all I could think about was the dog)
3- the way Jack London wrote this is superb.
As many others here, I didn’t like the main character for 2 main reasons:
1- The way he treats his dog (I mean he even tries to kill him instead of sending him out for help)
2- He thinks he knows better, he even laughs at the old man who told him not to go by himself at such temperatures.
But what I liked about this story was:
1- length: Perfect! Not boring, although the end was quite predictable
2- that the dog survives and his instincts puts him on the right track (while he was dying all I could think about was the dog)
3- the way Jack London wrote this is superb.